Reducing kitchen waste

With most South African homes throwing out over two kilograms of waste created in their kitchens each day, dealing with how to reduce this waste in an environmentally friendly way has become a burning issue for the planet and its occupants, says Adrian Goslett, CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.Statistics show that as much as 80% of household waste can be reused or recycled, but unfortunately many of that waste ends up in land-fills. The methane that is produced from decomposing food waste in a land-fill, which accounts for approximately 20% of household waste, is 21 times more harmful to the environment than the effects of carbon-dioxide emissions, which is a major contributor to the global climate change. This is reason enough to rethink kitchen wastage and methods used to dispose of it.“One option that can be used to reduce kitchen waste is by installing a disposal unit, which can reduce the amount of waste that is thrown into bins. Other ways to reduce the food waste is by composting and reusing it in the garden,” says Goslett, “This can either be in a traditional compost heap or by means of an earthworm farm. Using organic compost will also reduce the need for harmful chemical fertilisers and pesticides, as it inhibits certain plant diseases by building the plant’s immunity.”According to Goslett, other items of kitchen waste that are not organic should be separated into recyclable and non-recyclable goods. This will also minimise the amount of waste that takes up space in South Africa’s land-fills, which are already almost all at their maximum capacity.Although most South African municipalities do not collect recyclable goods separately, many areas have conveniently placed recycling centres where homeowners can drop off these items.He adds that while certain items may not be recyclable, they can be reused. He gives homeowners some tips on what to do with these items.Waxed-coated milk and juice cartonsAs these items are waterproof, they can easily be used as paint containers or trays for home renovation and DIY projects. The waterproof element of these items also means that they can be used outside for birdfeeders. Egg boxes or traysEgg cartons can come in a variety of materials such as plastic, foam or cardboard. However, all these can be used for storing small items such as nails, screws and even golf balls. Homeowners can also donate them to a preschool in their area, which can use them for the children’s art and craft projects.CorksInstead of throwing away wine corks, they can be used for water or salad dressing bottles. They can also be cut into slices and used under the legs of tables and other furniture to prevent sliding or damage to floors. For creative homeowners, they can be turned in craft items such as picture frames or coasters.Cereal boxesEmpty cereal boxes can be covered and stacked to make a desk organiser for school papers or a home office filing system. The cardboard from the boxes can also be used to reinforce the covers of school or other books.Plastic containersAlthough the majority of plastic containers are recyclable, those that have lids may be repurposed to store leftover food or others items.“Reducing kitchen and household waste in general is another way for homeowners to do their part to reduce their carbon footprint. Working together to reduce waste will ensure a safe and healthy environment for generations to come,” Goslett concludes.

Given the hand they were dealt, government has performed a delicate balancing act which it is hoped will serve to reignite confidence in investment in South Africa, regain our global credibility and satisfy the credit ratings agencies, says Dr Andrew Golding, chief executive of the Pam Golding Property group.

These days most buyers are using online property portals like Private Property when house hunting due to the convenience, up to date information and variety on offer. “The property portals have revolutionised the way buyers shop, but they do need to be cautious – viewing photos online is no replacement for viewing the property in person,” says Bruce Swain, CEO of Leapfrog Property Group.

Owning a home is a milestone that most South Africans aspire to. Becoming a homeowner is a step towards growing personal wealth and owning an asset that appreciates in value over time, provided of course that the correct principles are applied during the buying stage of the process, says Adrian Goslett, Regional Director and CEO of RE/MAX of Southern Africa.

The suburb of Greenstone in Johannesburg east came to be over the last two decades. “In the beginning, it was literally just a hill with not so much as a shopping centre,” says Michael Levy, Property Consultant at Jawitz Properties Bedfordview. Today it has plenty shopping facilities and is fully built, boasting high-density, upmarket housing and residential estates, though still has a few pockets poised for commercial development.

Possibly one of the biggest sources of contention between landlords and tenants surrounds the rental deposit. “Most tenants rely on getting their rental deposits back when moving, so that they can use it to pay a deposit on their new home. Having it withheld or even having large amounts deducted can lead to a lot of distress,” explains Bruce Swain, CEO of Leapfrog Property Group.